Conyers Backs Strong, Comprehensive Legislation to make America Safer

Washington, D.C. – Rep. John Conyers today joined a majority in the House of Representatives to support legislation that will make America safer by finally enacting the recommendations of the bipartisan 9/11 Commission. The Conference Report on H.R. 1, Implementing the Recommendations of the 9/11 Commission Act of 2007, was passed by a vote of 440 to 371.

“Today, the Democratic Congress has passed a long overdue bill implementing the recommendations of the 9/11 Commission,” said Conyers. “The President should sign this bill and join us in our efforts to provide for first responders, make air travel safer, improve screening cargo headed for U.S. ports, protect America from weapons of mass destruction, and help end terrorism.”

In July 2004, the bipartisan 9/11 Commission submitted its recommendations to Congress on how to better protect America from terrorism. Unfortunately, for the next two and a half years, the GOP-led Congress failed to enact most of these recommendations into law. Indeed, the 9/11 Commissioners released a National Security Report Card giving the GOP-led Congress 5 F’s, 12 D’s, and 2 “incompletes” in categories including airline passenger screening and improving first responders' communication systems. Democrats have made enacting these recommendations a priority.

This conference report has strong provisions to better protect America from terrorism – ranging from ensuring that first responders have the equipment they need to strengthening efforts to prevent WMDs from falling into terrorist hands. The measure will require 100% scanning of U.S.-bound seaborne containers before they leave foreign ports within five years, and also requires 100% screening of cargo on passenger aircraft within three years.

The measure comes on the heels of the new National Intelligence Estimate, which states that Osama bin Laden’s al-Qaeda network has been able to restore key capabilities for launching another attack on U.S. soil. Thomas Kean, Chairman of the 9/11 Commission and former GOP governor of New Jersey, has stated that this 9/11 legislation “is a very big step forward. It will make our nation safer.”

“This legislation helps move America toward being a stronger, safer nation,” added Conyers. “Today, Democrats sent the President one of the most critical bills of the 110th Congress, and the President should act quickly to sign the bill into law.”

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